Qantas outlines biofuel plant plan

Qantas Airlines has begun plans to construct a biofuel plant in Australia as the European Union prepares to introduce strict emissions limits in 2012.

Qantas is set to announce the plans in conjunction with American firm Solena.

Irish carriers Ryanair and Aer Lingus are also in talks with the company, while British no-frills carrier easyJet has also entered talks.

Pictured: oneworld partners Qantas and British Airways are at the forefront of biofuel technology

Airlines are examining biofuel options ahead of regulations stipulating any airline flying in or out of the EU must cut emissions or pay a penalty.

Early in 2010 Qantas’ oneworld partner British Airways committed to the construction of a biofuel plant in east London.

BA hopes to convert some 500,000 tonnes of waste each year from 2014, generating around 16 million gallons of greener jet fuel.

The fuel will be used to power two per cent of the British flag-carrier’s fleet out of Heathrow, with waste sourced from food scraps and other household material including grass and tree cuttings, agricultural and industrial waste.

It is believed the Qantas plant – to be built in Australia – will operate along similar lines.

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Biofuel

Washington DC-based Solena uses plasma technology to convert all forms of biomass into renewable energy, using technology based on the Fischer-Tropsch process to manufacture synthetic liquid fuel.

The technology was pioneers in Nazi Germany during the Second World War to make fuel as it lacked access to oil supplies.

Solena argues planes can run entirely on green synthetic fuel, without it having to be mixed with kerosene-based jet fuel.

However, UK and US regulators presently allow only a maximum 50/50 blend with conventional aviation fuel.

World Mobi

Also in Australia today, World Mobi is celebrating the success of its new city guide to Canberra.

World Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the World Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.